Chapter 5

• It’s six o'clock in the evening. Annika is prepared to welcome all of the night's visitors. She has a lot of reservations again. La Gondola is constantly crowded and filled, especially at night. Annika walked all the guests in, and when all were seated and everyone was enjoying their dinner, she went back to the reception area to see if any other guests would be arriving after dinnertime. "Nope! everyone is here already." So, she sits in her high chair and checks her reservation book for the next day.
• For some reason, Annika noticed that it became silent as the other guests were eating their dinner. It seemed like she was not hearing anything at all. She became quiet and thought about Bruce, just looking at a blank wall with the hanging picture towards the entrance stairs. Suddenly, a man appears, going upstairs in a pink Lacoste polo and a pair of jeans. He had all his gray eyes straightly looking at Annika's eyes in astonishment and hesitation. He was climbing up the steps slowly without using his hand He asked, " Annika, is that you? “He said in a gruff voice. Annika’s heart stopped for a minute, it looks like the whole world stopped.
• It was Bruce who came in from somewhere. Running up the stairs, he gave her a bear hug and carried her around in his arms while going round and round. After a month of looking, he finally found Annika again, and he appeared very delighted that he had finally found Annika again after months of searching. Annika was in disbelief that Bruce was in front of him, and all she could say was, "Hey, Bruce, it is me. How are you? " She wanted to say how much she thought about him, how much she missed him, and how much she hoped this day would come.
• She looks at Bruce with a smile; her heart is racing and she is just speechless. She feels as though she is dreaming since she can't believe this is actually occurring, yet Bruce is there right in front of her, and he can't contain his excitement. He kissed Annika on her cheeks. "Is this happening?" she thought, as she had never been kissed before. It was only a kiss on the cheek, but it meant a lot to Annika.
• Bruce said, "I did check other bars and thought you may be working there, but to my surprise, I discovered you here at La Gondola. I should have come here earlier. Annika was over the moon to hear all of this from Bruce. "I miss you!" she said.
• You look so good in your new uniform that I briefly wondered if it was you, I was seeing. " "I am so glad to see you again." Annika was astounded by Bruce Bruce's candor regarding his feelings at that moment She had little to say to him. Maybe because she is at work, maybe because she had secret feelings for him, or perhaps it's just that she doesn't think it's really occurring. Here, in front of her, is Bruce.
• smirking while focusing on her.
• It appears that Bruce just stepped in that night for dinner. Annika checked her reservation book to see whether she had missed any bookings under Motorola, where Bruce works, or under his name; there were none, so it appears that Bruce just walked in that night for dinner. "Are you expecting some friends with you?" Annika inquired. " Yes, John and Blake will be joining a little later," confirms Bruce "I hope they come late so we can catch up a little bit." Bruce says, in a happy tone.
• Have a seat. I’ll get you some drinks. Want a beer? Annika offered, "Whatever you have." and Bruce agreed. That night, Annika just stood right next to Bruce's table and was just so delighted to have a conversation with him in a light room. When she was working at the bar, it was always dark and there was always loud music played by the DJ. She is wearing nice clothes. There is enough light for Bruce to notice her Oriental beauty and only instrumental music of some Italian jazz violin.
• This is one of the days Annika has been waiting for to see Bruce, and she even gets a hug and a kiss from him. I just started working here a few days ago. Sorry I left without saying goodbye. " Annika’s response to Bruce's She wanted to say more to him; she wanted to tell him how much she missed him and how much she longed to see him again. This is one of the days Annika has been waiting for to see Bruce, and she even gets a hug and a kiss from him. Annika checked with Bruce for any reservations. She needed to show Bruce that she was now doing a different job as a restaurant receptionist and not a bar
• waitress anymore. Annika could hear his voice clearly as they were catching up. The smile on her and Bruce's faces never fades. Both of them are just two happy souls reunited. Annika wishes that that night never ends, that her friends would come a little late so she could have Bruce for a while the restaurant’s guests are all busy finishing their dinner and while she still has a chance to talk to Bruce.
• Blake and John joined Bruce a short while later. They were welcomed by Annika, who they knew without delay. They were all overjoyed to see her again. They too were so happy to see her again. Annika seated them, and the three good-looking men had their dinner quietly.
• Annika returned to the lobby area and sat down, normally waiting for a guest to leave. stand there at the reception for her to bid farewell to their guest and thank them. She sneaks a look occasionally. And the majority of the time, she notices Bruce grinning at her. Annika smiled and nodded. That is all she can do, return. After dinner, the three gentlemen went to the reception and spoke to Annika. "Hey Annika, we should You can catch up one day when you are not working. Maybe we should go for a drink or have dinner sometime. "Annika still can’t believe she is hearing all this. All she can say is, "I’ll let you know. I hope to see you again."
• Annika was hugged and kissed by Bruce as he drew forward to say farewell. He had a grasp of her hand, whose grip was so firm that Annika's heart simply stopped. Oh, how she wishes that moment would last forever. " I’ll see you again, beautiful." Bruce then began to descend the stairs and head for the door, giving Annika one final glance and a smile. It was a beautiful and magical night indeed for Annika.